Elements of Art

ELEMENTS OF ART

LINE

SHAPE (2-D) FORM (3-D)

VALUE

COLOR

TEXTURE

SPACE

Line An element of art that refers to a

continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point.

It can be can be 2-d or 3-d such as the edge of a object

It can help lead the viewer through the image area.

A mark made by a moving point.

Has greater length than width.

Directs the eye – horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curvy, zig-zag, etc.

Can be actual obvious lines or the borders or edges of shapes.

Leading Lines - S Curve

It could be a leading line that leads the eye back in space.

Lines - Implied

It could be an implied line such as a dotted line….or objects arranged in a line.

It can be implied that continues behind the subject.

The eyes in a portrait give a line of sight that also directs the viewer.

Lines for Emphasis

Lines can be straight or curved and can be organized to emphasize areas.

This is also framing.

Shape/Form A contained area.

Can be GEOMETRIC (man-made) ex. Square, triangle, circle, etc.

Can be ORGANIC (natural) ex. Leaves, humans, puddles, etc.

Shapes are 2-Dimensional and flat. (circle)

Forms are 3-Dimensional with height, width and depth. (sphere)

Used to create a sense of space and substance.

They are defined by the other elements of art: space, line, texture, value, color, & form

COLOR GROUPINGS

PRIMARY COLORSREDYELLOWBLUE

SECONDARY COLORSGREENVIOLETORANGE

TERTIARY COLORSRED-VIOLETRED-ORANGEYELLOW ORANGEYELLOW GREENBLUE GREENBLUE VIOLET

Color: Use color to command attention

HUE - The name of the color

Complementary Colors

Across from each other on the color wheel.

They demand attention & create excitement.

Analogous Colors

Colors next to each other on the color wheel.

Using this color grouping gives a feeling of calm and serenity.

Color Triads

Using three colors together.

They are equal distances apart on the color wheel.

Value

The lightness or darkness of a color or a neutral tone.

It helps to express volume and is a component of highlights and shadows.

It also can add to a sense of depth since colors are less distinct as they go back in space.

Black and White and all the Grays in between from dark to light

Can add drama and impact to composition.

Train your eye to read color as Black and White!

Texture

Refers to the surface quality.

Textures are defined by highlights and shadows. Lighting is usually low and or to the side.

How an object feels, or how it looks like it feels.

Rough, smooth, bumpy, gooey, sharp, etc.

Adds interest! Sense of sight and sense of touch involved.

Space The area used or unused in a composition.

Positive space – the area the objects/subject takes up. (Ex: The black swan)

Negative space – the area around, under, through and between. (Ex: The sky around the swan)

Gives the photo a 3-dimensional feeling. (Depth)

Foreground (closest), Middle ground, and Background (farthest).

Can be open, crowded, near, far, etc.

Overlapping and size changes increase the feeling of space.

As things are further away they are less detailed, lighter, and more blue.